The story of the Black Stork "Poland Gdansk VH8304" from Poland

This is an important proof of the need for Black Stork ringing in Europe.

The short story is about the BS "VH8304"nestling ringed on 29.06.2006 in Poland by Adam Mrugasiewicz.

This male brooded 2009 in the 4th Calendar year successfully in Germany (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) - thereafter until 2011 on the same place.

The lovely male "VH8304" (born in Poland) brooded 2009-2011 in NE-Germany - © C. Rohde (03.07.2009)

But this year in 2012 - only one Stork was just there near the nest, the male was missing!
Where it is - is something happening.

The location of breeding male "VH8304" was 187 km NW direction of birthplace.

In the meantime I got from Daniel Schmidt of the "Bird Protection Centre" in Baden-Wuerttemberg the bad news about the death of "VH8304"!
What happened....?

The male was on the timely spring migration. On 16 March 2012 he was killed by impact on power lines in combination with electric shoke near Zwiefalten (Baden-Wuerttemberg). Finder was Roland Kretz.
Remarks by D. Schmidt: on 16 March 2012 bird was still alive, but unable to fly and severely wounded on both underwings and right leg, bird euthanized on 19 March 2012 by veterinarian Dr. med. vet. Matthias Roth, Reutlingen. The dead Black Stork male will be handed over the University of Tübingen.

Significant marks from impact on power lines on the left underwing. © D. Schmidt

Significant marks from impact on power lines on the right underwing. © D. Schmidt

Overview of the the place of birth (Poland, 2006), place of breeding (NE-Germany, 2009-2011) and place of disaster (S-Germany, March 2012). At least we know now - he used the western route. 650 km were missing 2012 until the breeding place in Mecklenburg-Wetsren Pomerania. A real drama...!